Reseal plug for cans



Nov. 24,1964 c 3,158,279

RESEAL PLUG FOR CANS Filed Aug. 12, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. LOUIS G. CALLEGARI Nov. 24, 1964 L. ca. CALLEGARI RESEAL PLUG FOR CANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 12, 1963 1L 0 U IS S. CALEEGKR I Nov. 24, 1964 L. e. CALLEGAR! RESEAL. PLUG FOR CANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 12, 1963 INVENTOR. LOUIS G. CALLEGARI ATTOIF/VFY United States Patent 3,158,279 RESEAL PLUG FOR CANS Louis G. Callegari, 34-06 45th St., Long Island City, NY. Filed Aug. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 301,375 8 Claims. (Cl. 22024) This invention relates to the art of can closures and more particularly concerns a device for resealing an open can.

There has recently become commercially available a type of can for containing a beverage in which'the top of the can has-a tab opener. When the tab is removed an elongated keyhole-shape opening is formed in the top of the can. The present invention is directed at providing a plug or closure which can be used to reseal such a keyhole-shape opening in one end of a can.

One object of the invention is to provide a plug having a soft, resilient base for sealing a keyhole-shape can opening, with notched blades extending out of the plug for engaging opposing edges of the can opening.

Another object is to provide a plug as described, Wherein the blades are pivotally mounted for engaging on and disengaging from the edges of the can opening, with parts of theplug in which the blades are supportedformed of flexible material.

A further object is to provide a re-usable plug for repeatedly rescaling a can opening of keyhole-shape.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel-features of the invention are more particularly set forth. X

.In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plug embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the plug shown mounted on the upper end of a can.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the upper end of the can with plug mounted thereon.

FIG. 5 is a' perspective view on an'enlarged scale of an anchoring blade employed in the plug.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another plug embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing details of the plug'of FIG. 6 mounted on a can.

view taken on line FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a can with the closing tab removed. FIG. l0-is a similarview showing a modified form of plug applied thereto. i

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken on the line 1212 of FIG. 10.

FIG. '13 is a sectional view taken on the line 1313 of FIG. 10. p Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a reseal plug including a flat elongated plate 12. The platejs generally tapered in form with a wider end 14 circularly curved to conform with the inner curvature of bead 16 at the upper end 18 of a cylindrical can The narrower end of the plate 12 overlays the inner circular end 21 of opening 22 in the can end 18. The

wider end 14 of the plate overlays the wider end 23 of 70 the opening 22 and a portion of groove 19 at bead 16.

Secured to the underside of plate 12 is a resilient pad "ice 24 made of spongy rubber, plastic or other soft, flexible material. The plug has a handle 25 which extends upwardly from the center of plate 12 and may be integral with it. Plate 12 is preferably formed of a flexible rubher or plastic material which is less resilient than the pad 24.

Extending through both plate 12 and pad 24 near opposite ends thereof are two flat blades 26', 26". Each of the blades, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, has a flat lower portion 27 with straight opposing vertical edges 28, 29. Edge 29 has a lower curved portion 29' which meets edge 28 at the bottom end 30 of the blade. Three notches 32, 32 and 32" extend inwardly from edge 29. These notches have beveled portions 33, 34 to facili tate engagement of opposite ends 21, 23 of opening 22 in the notches.

Upper ends 36 of the blades are twisted at 37 so that the planes of ends 36 are perpendicular to the planes of lower portions 27. At an intermediate portion of each blade between the uppermost notch 32 and twist 37 is an annular rectangular or oval flange 40. Flange'40 is embedded in the flexible plate 12. This flange anchors the blade in the plug. However, the blade can be pivoted in its vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane of plate 12 as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 3.

Since the flat upper portions 36 of the blade are disposed in planes tangential to ends 14 and15 of the plug, the blades can be readily tiltedby pressing the portions toward or away from each other.

It will be noted that the lower portions 27 of the two blades are disposed coplanar with each other with the notched edge 29 in outer blade 26' facing outwardly toward wider plug end 14-while the notched edge of blade 26" faces outwardly toward narrow plug end 15. The notches are so located that any one of the notches'in each blade will engage at inner or outer ends 21, 23 of opening 22. The soft, resilient pad willbe pressed into the opening 22 and will seal it effectively when notches such as upper notches 32 engage ends 21, 23 of the opening 22 as clearly shown in FIG. 3. The lower curved ends 29' of the blades facilitate insertion of the blades into the opening 22. It may be necessary to press blade ends 36 apart as indicated by arrows A in FIG. 3 to the plug ofi the top of the can.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show another plug 10 which is similar to plug 10 and corresponding'parts are identically numbered. Plug 10 dilfers from plug 10 in that the plate 12* is a rigid member formed of meta'l or plastic material. This plate has two rectangular, round or oval holes 50 formed near opposite ends 14, 15. In these holes' are disposed resilient inserts 52 integral with or secured to pad 24. The flat portions 27 of the blades 26', 26" extend through the inserts and through bottom resilient pad 24; Flanges 40 are embedded in the inserts. The blades can be tilted or pivoted in the same manner as in plug 10 for engaging ends 21, 23 of can opening 22 in notches 32 of the blades. Handle 25' is integral with the body of plate 12 for lifting the plug off of the can end and for pressing the plug down on the can end. The inserts 50 can be separate from or integral with the pad 24'. Pad 24' in any case will be cemented or otherwise secured to the underside of plate 24*.

There has thus been provided: a plug adapted to reseal an opening of keyhole-shape in one end of a can.

of theJcan opening to insure a firm grip thereon." A resilient pad seals the opening and a top plate serves as a backing, reinforcement and support for the pad as Welles a support for the blades. The plug is provided with means for pivotally mounting the blades. to facilitate en gagement and, disengagement of the notches of the blade with the edge of'the can opening.

In FIGS. 9 and 10; the canZO is SllOWll in run. as

upper end 18 has the key-shaped opening 22 with its circular inner end 21 at the center of' the upper can end 18. and its wider end 23 conforming to the curvature and running nearto head 16 of the upper can end 18. The

opening 22 has been provided by theremoval of a tab.

opener provided on the commercially available types of beer cans. I

FIGS. 10 to 13 show another closure plug 10 in which but one securing portion 55 is utilized for securing the plug to the opening. 21 in the can end 18. This securing portion is integral with an upstanding flat-shaped handle 56. The portion 55 is enlarged at its. lower end and is provided with aseries of opposed-notches 57, 57', 5.8, 53', 59 and59 The notches fi'i, 57' include a resilient rubber flat plate 69 and a sponge rubber pad 61 adhered tof theundersidelof the resilientplate 60 by. an adhesive layer 62. This same side groove57 will accommodate upon sponge rubber .61 being compressed the thickness of theedge .offthe. opening 21 .of' the can end 18 as best viewed in FIGSQll and 12.

For a difierent shaped can end 18 the sealing can b effected by'engagement of the edges of thefcan opening 22 with. the opposing notches,.58, 5.8. or 59, 59'.

To: attach the' closurell'il the. securing portion 55 is pressed through the enlarged end 213 of'the opening and is slid inwardly so-that the. opposing edges of. thebpen ing. 22. will be. accommodated by any of the op-posing The inward movement of the.

notches, such as 57, 51. closure is continued until, the enlarged end of the closure as-indicatd at 613 slides down over the bead 16 of the can end 18'. Because of the resiliencyof the plate 6.0.. of. the sponge rubber pad 61 the handle. and its securing:

port-ion 56 can easily be worked to fix the notches to the.

edges of'the opening 22' of thecan end.

To removethe closure 10* the same can be givena continued movement'in direction of arrow B, FIGS. 12

and 13, so that the securingportion can be relieved through the inner circular end 21-of the. opening 22 in:

the can end 18.

It should be aparent that in all forms of the invention thatthe handlesvithfthe securing blades'or portions are workable due to the sarne'being'mounted in resilient and sponge rubber materials. g

While various 'changes'may be. made in the detailed construction, 'it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invert-- tion as defined'by the appended" claims.

Having thusv described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure my UnitedStates Letters Patcut is:

1. A sealing device -for a diametral opening in a. cir-- cular end of a can, said opening having a keyhole-shape with. rounded opposite ends, said can having. an annular bead at the periphery of the can end with one end of said op'ening located. near said bead, comprising a plate having a curved endconforming in curvature to the head of: the can, a. resilient pad attached to one side of the plate for entering and sealing saidopening, said plate andpad being longer and wider than said opening forcornpletely' closing thesarne, land a pair of blades pi-votably sup ported by said plate and pad and extending therethroughin parallel disposition nearopposite ends of the plate and pad, each of said blades having at least one notch in anouter edge th'ereof facing toward an adjacent end of the plate and pad for engaging one of the ends of the can 4 serve as a reinforcement and support for the pad and a yielding support for the pivotable blades, whereby said blades can be pivoted outwardly of said opening at upper ends of the blades to disengage the notches of the blades from the ends of said opening.

2. A sealing device for a diametral opening in a circular end of a can, said opening having a keyhole-shape with rounded opposite ends, said can having an annular bead at the periphery of. the. can end with one end of said opening located near said bead, comprising a plate having a curved end conforming in curvature to the bead of the can, a resilient I pad attached to one side of the plate for entering and sealing said opening, said plate and pad being longer and wider than said opening for completely closing the same, and a pair of blades pivotably supported by saidplate a-nd pad and extending there-- through in-paralleldisposition near opposite ends of the plate andpad, each; of said blades having at least one notch in an outer edge thereof facing toward an adjacent end of the plate and pad for engaging one of the ends, of the can opening,- said plate being formed of a resilient material slightly lessfiex ible than the padattached to the plate to serve as a reinforcement and support for. the pad and a yielding support for the pivotable blades, whereby said blades .can be pivoted outwardly of said opening at upper. ends of the blades to disengage the notches of the blades from the ends of said opening, each of'said blades having an'annular flange located between-opposite ends ofthe blade and embedded inthe plate to anchor the blade therein.

A sealing device for-a diametral opening in a circular end of a can, said opening, having akey-hole shape.

with; rounded opposite ends, said can having an annular head at. the. periphery of the can end withone end of;

ing theretbrough in parallel disposition near opposite ends. of the plate. and. pad, each of said. blades having at least one notch in an outer edgethereof facing. toward an adjacent end of. theplate andpadfor engaging; one

of the ends of the can openingfsaid plate" being formed:

ofrigid-rnat'erial and having a pair of holeslocatednear opposite ends thereof, and. resilient inserts filling said holes, said bladesregrtending through said.inserts,; each of said bladeshaving' an annular flange embedded" in a resilient insert. to anchor the blade therein, whereby said blades can be pivoted outwardly of said openingat upper ends of the. blades to disengage ;the notchesof the blades from the ends 'ofsaid opening.

4. A sealing.- device for a diametral: opening in circular end of'a' can, said opening having. agkey-hole shape with rounded opposite ends, said can having an annular head at the periphery of the can end with one endgof; said opening located near said: head, comprising a plate having'a curved end conforming sfin curvature to th'ej bead of the-can, a resilient pad attached toyone side of i the plate for entering and sealing said opening, said:

plate and pad being longer and widerthan said opening for completely closing'the sarrieQa pair of blades pivotably supported by said plate and pad and extending there through in parallel disposition near opposite ends of the plate and pad, each of said blades having at least" one notch in an outer edge thereof facing toward an adja-- cent end of the plate and .padfor engaging one of the ends of the can opening, whereby said blades can -be' piivoted outwardly of said opening at;v upper-Sends of the blades to disengage the notches of the; blades from the? ends of said opening, and ahandle; extending outwardly: of the other. side of said plate to facilitate pressing-said:

pad and inserting said bladesinto said opening.

5. A sealing device for a diametral opening in a circular end of a can, said opening having a key-hole shape with rounded opposite ends, said can having anannular bead at the periphery of the can end with one end of said opening located near said head, comprising a plate having a curved end conforming in curvature to the bead of the can, a resilient pad attached to one side of the plate for entering and sealing said opening, said plate and pad being longer and wider than said opening for completely closing the same, and a pair of blades pivotably supported by said plate and pad and extending therethrough in parallel disposition near opposite ends of the plate and pad, each of said blades having at least one notch in an outer edge thereof facing toward an adjacent end of the plate and pad for engaging one of the ends of the can opening, each of said blades hav ing an inwardly tapered lower end to facilitate insertion of the blades into said opening, the upper end of each blade being twisted into a plane perpendicular to the plane of the lower end of the blade, whereby the blades can be pivoted outwardly of said opening at upper ends of the blades to disengage the notches of the blades from the ends of said opening, said plate being formed of a resilient material slightly less flexible than the pad attached to the plate to serve as a reinforcement and support for the pad and a yielding support for the pivotable blades.

6. A sealing device for a diametral opening in a circular end of a can, said opening having a key-hole shape with rounded opposite ends, said can having an annular bead at the periphery of the can end with one end of said opening located near said bead, comprising a plate having a curved end conforming in curvature to the bead of the can, a resilient pad attached to one side of the plate for entering and sealing said opening, said plate and pad being longer and wider than said opening for completely closing the same, and a pair of blades pivot'ably supported by said plate and pad and extending therethrough in parallel disposition near opposite ends of the plate and pad, each of said blades having at least one notch in an outer edge thereof facing toward an adjacent end of the plate and pad for engaging one of the ends of the can opening, said plate being formed of rigid material and having a pair of holes located near opposite ends thereof, resilient inserts filling said holes, said blades extending through said inserts, each of said blades having an annular flange embedded in a resilient insert to anchor the blade therein, whereby said blades can be pivoted outwardly of said opening at upper ends of the blades to disengage the notches of the blades from the ends of said opening, said inserts being integral with said resilient pad, and a handle extending outwardly of the other side of said plate to facilitate pressing said pad and inserting said blades into said opening.

7. A sealing device for a diametral opening in a circular end of a can, said opening having a key-hole shape with rounded opposite ends, said can having an annular bead at the periphery of the can end with one end of said opening located near said bead, comprising a plate having a curved end conforming in curvature to the bead of the can, a resilient pad attached to one side of the plate for entering and sealing said opening, said plate and pad being longer and wider than said opening for completely closing the same, and a pair of blades pivot'ably supported by said plate and pad and extending therethrough in parallel disposition near opposite ends of the plate and pad, each of said blades having at least one notch in an outer edge thereof facing toward an adjacent end of the plate and pad for engaging one of the ends of the can opening, said plate being formed of rigid material and having a ,pair of holes located near opposite ends thereof, and resilient inserts filling said holes, said blades extending through said inserts, each of said blades having an annular flange embedded in a resilient insert to anchor the blade therein, whereby said blades can be pivoted outwardly of said opening at upper ends of the blades to disengage the notches of the blades from the ends of said opening, each of said blades having an inwardly tapered lower end to facilitate insertion of the blades into said opening, the upper end of each blade being twisted into a plane perpendicular to the plane of the lower end of the blade to facilitate pivoting the blades in the plate for engaging the notches of the blades on edges of the can opening and for disengaging the notches from edges of the can opening.

8. A sealing device for a diametral opening in a circular end of a can, said opening having a key-hole shape with rounded opposite ends, said can having an annular bead at the periphery of the can end with one end of said opening located near said head, comprising a plate having a curved end conforming in curvature to the bead of the can, a resilient pad attached to one side of the plate for entering and sealing said opening, said plate and pad being longer and wider than said opening for completely closing the same, a pair of blades pivotably supported by said plate and pad and extending therethrough in parallel disposition near opposite ends of the plate and pad, each of said blades having at least one notch in an outer edge thereof facing toward an adjacent end of the plate and pad for engaging one of the ends of the can opening, said plate being formed of rigid material and having a pair of holes located near opposite ends thereof, and resilient inserts filling said holes, said blades extending through said inserts, each of said blades having an annular flange embedded in a resilient insert to anchor the blade therein, whereby said blades can be pivoted outwardly of said opening at upper ends of the blades to disengage the notches of the blades from the ends of said opening, each of said blades having an inwardly tapered lower end to facilitate insertion of the blades into said opening, the upper end of each blade being twisted into a plane perpendicular to the plane of the lower end of the blade to facilitate pivoting the blades in the plate for engaging the notches of the blades on edges of the can opening and for disengaging the notches from edges of the can opening, and a handle extending outwardly of the other side of said plate to facilitate pressing said pad and inserting said blades into said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,346,924 Lehmann Apr. 18, 1944 2,936,189 Pearson May 10, 1960 3,019,950 Callegari Feb. 6, 1962 3,099,363 Callegari July 30, 1963 

1. A SEALING DEVICE FOR A DIAMETRAL OPENING IN A CIRCULAR END OF A CAN, SAID OPENING HAVING A KEYHOLE-SHAPE WITH ROUNDED OPPOSITE ENDS, SAID CAN HAVING AN ANNULAR BEAD AT THE PERIPHERY OF THE CAN END WITH ONE END OF SAID OPENING LOCATED NEAR SAID BEAD, COMPRISING A PLATE HAVING A CURVED END CONFORMING IN CURVATURE TO THE BEAD OF THE CAN, A RESILIENT PAD ATTACHED TO ONE SIDE OF THE PLATE FOR ENTERING AND SEALING SAID OPENING, SAID PLATE AND PAD BEING LONGER AND WIDER THAN SAID OPENING FOR COMPLETELY CLOSING THE SAME, AND A PAIR OF BLADES PIVOTABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID PLATE AND PAD AND EXTENDING THERETHROUGH IN PARALLEL DISPOSITION NEAR OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE PLATE AND PAD, EACH OF SAID BLADES HAVING AT LEAST ONE NOTCH IN AN OUTER EDGE THEREOF FACING TOWARD AN ADJACENT END OF THE PLATE AND PAD FOR ENGAGING ONE OF THE ENDS OF THE CAN OPENING, SAID PLATE BEING FORMED OF A RESILIENT MATERIAL SLIGHTLY LESS FLEXIBLE THAN THE PAD ATTACHED TO THE PLATE TO SERVE AS A REINFORCEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE PAD AND A YIELDING SUPPORT FOR THE PIVOTABLE BLADES, WHEREBY SAID BLADES CAN BE PIVOTED OUTWARDLY OF SAID OPENING AT UPPER ENDS OF THE BLADES TO DISENGAGE THE NOTCHES OF THE BLADES FROM THE ENDS OF SAID OPENING. 